How to clean a long dryer vent [Instructions]

As an Amazon affiliate, we earn a commision from qualifying purchases.

Shorter vents are always better for dryers.

However, it is not always possible to have short vents because the layout and/or position of your laundry room won’t allow.

Problem is, cleaning long vents can be quite difficult yet not cleaning them is never an option( a clogged dryer vent is not only a fire hazard but is also likely to cause your dryer to take longer to dry your clothes)

On the other hand, getting professionals to clean it will typically leave a sizable dent in your pockets.

With that in mind, I will take you through how to clean a long dryer vent (step-by-step)- it will save your good money and your dryer will remain in tip-top shape.

Table of Contents

How to clean a long dryer vent [step by step]

Well, cleaning dryer vents is quite a simple and exciting DIY task that will only take around 30 to 45 minutes of your time depending on the length of your vent and how much lint has accrued inside the vent over time.

But before we begin, let me mention that in this how-to article, we shall be tackling vents longer than the standard 25 ft.

Let’s now get started:

What you will need

Below are the tools that you will require when cleaning your dryer vent:

Flexible lint brush with drill attachment– works even for pretty longpipe with many angles as it bends really good
Drill.
Leaf blower or vacuum cleaner.
Electrical tape.
Face mask.
Protective glasses.

Just to be clear, there are two different methods you can use to clean a long dryer vent: Using a vacuum cleaner or using a leaf blower. That explains why I have recommended you have either a leaf blower or vacuum cleaner

Preliminaries

Either way, before you begin cleaning your dryer vent, there are a few things you need to do….

First, disconnect the dryer from the power outlet. And if you have a gas dryer, turn off gas supply and disconnect the dryer from gas supply.

Next, pull your dryer away a bit (like 2 feet)from the wall and detach it from the wall vent outlet.

Remember you need to locate the hose on the rear of the dryer (that is connecting to the wall) as well as the dryer exhaust vent (outside your house)

Having done that, let’s start with the vacuum cleaner method.

How to clean a long dryer vent using a vacuum cleaner

Your duct work long length makes it necessary to vacuum out..

So:

Grab a screwdriver then with its help, take the vent’s clamp off your dryer hose- The dryer pipe should now be easier to pull off the wall, which in turn exposes the dryer vent.

Now you can begin the cleaning process- you should start by removing lint that is likely to be there in hole in the rear of the dryer.

You can do that with your hands (just wear your gloves-for protection- and try to remove all the lint in that opening).

Next steps

Using the correct hose attachment, insert the hose into the vent and turn on your vacuum cleaner to suction as much lint as you can.
With the vacuum cleaner still running, insert the vent brush into the vent. If you have a power drill, connect the brush to the drill and run the drill clockwise. If you lack one, you can rotate the brush by hand – be warned, doing it by hand can be very tiring and time-consuming.
Slowly push the vent brush inside the vent as you rotate it. The reason the vacuum cleaner is still on is to have it to suction the lint immediately it is dislodged by the vent brush.
As each rod goes into the vent, connect the next rod. For added insurance, you can tape them together using electrical tape. This ensures that the rods won’t disintegrate inside the vents.

If your vent is less than 40 ft in length, then this should suffice in completely cleaning it.

On the rare occasion that your vent length is more than 40 ft, you will now need to repeat the same process from the exit point of the vent.

So:

Locate where the vent exits the house and remove the flap covering it.
Repeat steps 1 to 4 above. By doing so, you can comfortably clean vents of up to 80 ft!
Replace the flap on the outside vent and reconnect your dryer.

How to clean a long dryer vent using a leaf blower

Here now is how to clean dryer vent with a leaf blower:

Begin by wearing your mask and protective glasses – there will be a lot of lint flying around.
Locate where the vent exits your house and remove the flap covering it.
Insert the leaf blower tube into the vent inside your house and blow to remove as much lint (and other clothing debris) as possible.
With the blower still running, insert your vent brush into the vent outside your house – by first removing the lint on the outside, we will be sure that we won’t clog the vent as you clean it(cleaning from the inside might result in lint accruing at one point). The essence of the leaf blower to remain running is that it immediately blows out lint as soon as it is dislodged.
Connect the brush to the power drill and run it in a clockwise direction.
As each rod goes into the vent, connect it to the next one and tape them together with electrical tape. This makes sure that they do not get dislodged inside the vent.
By doing so, you will be able to clean vents of up to 40 ft in length. On the rare occasion that your vent is longer than 40 ft, you will need to repeat steps 3 to 6 above but now insert the vent brush from the inside of your house.
Replace the flap on the outside vent and reconnect your dryer.